Ms. Mosle suggests that we "stock up on specialty cheeses during the holidays, and keep them in your refrigerator ("fridzhider").  When the crowd starts to gather, bring out the cheese board, some special crackers, a bountiful bunch of grapes and voila, you have an instant appetizer ("forshpayz").

Next, she suggests that you serve up some Christmas cheer, whether you open up a good bottle of red wine ("vayn") or heat up some apple cider on the stove seasoned with a sprinkle of nutmet and a few cinnamon ("tsimering") sticks.

She suggests that you think ahead, and be prepared.  She stocks up on frozen ("farfroyrn") meats, especially marinated chicken breasts.  Prepackaged salads are another must-have, says Mosle.  And for dessert ("farbaysn"), she writes, "keep frozen cakes and pies handy,. and finish them off with a chocolaty liquor."

During the holidays I tend to follow the "eytse" (advice) of the late Sammy Levenson.  In his 1973 "bukh" titled, "In One Era & Out the Other," his family had the answer to feeding unexpected company.  If they ran short of food, the code word "F.H.B." (Family Hold Back) came down the line.

"Mama called a meeting of her own flesh and blood, not to consult but to order: "Children, say you don't like the chicken!"

The children offered no resistance.  They even collaborated with the enemy.

"Have some chicken, Sammy."

"No thank you.  I don't like chicken...I hate chicken...I just ate chicken...I never eat chicken"--and the saliva ran out of my ears, down my chin, into my shirt, and onto my stomach."

When we got around to the dessert, Mama pulled a trick for which todqy the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children would march her off to jail ("turme").  In the same calm, self-assured tone in which she had drafted us into the conspiracy she announced:  "Now, all the children who refused to eat chicken don't get any dessert!"

P. S.  Remember to tell your hostess, "Es lost zikh esn."  (It's very tasty.) and "A gliklekh nay-yor" (Happy New Year).